Norris’ soreness leaves Sunday start up in the air

Wandy Rodriguez struck out three batters en route to his sixth win of the season.

June 14: Astros 6, Giants 3

Wandy Rodriguez struck out three batters en route to his sixth win of the season.

Photo: Thearon W. Henderson / 2012 Getty Images

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J.D. Martinez is high-fived in the dugout after his grand slam off pitcher Barry Zito during the third inning.

J.D. Martinez is high-fived in the dugout after his grand slam off pitcher Barry Zito during the third inning.

Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez / Assocaited Press

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Ryan Theriot gets the put out at second base while leaping over the sliding Brian Bixler in the fifth inning.

Ryan Theriot gets the put out at second base while leaping over the sliding Brian Bixler in the fifth inning.

Photo: Thearon W. Henderson / 2012 Getty Images

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Wandy Rodriguez recorded his sixth win of the season against the Giants. He lasted six inning, allowed six hits and three arned runs.

Wandy Rodriguez recorded his sixth win of the season against the Giants. He lasted six inning, allowed six hits and three arned runs.

Photo: Thearon W. Henderson / 2012 Getty Images

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Gregor Blanco steals second base beating the throw to Jose Altuve in the fifth inning.

Gregor Blanco steals second base beating the throw to Jose Altuve in the fifth inning.

Photo: Thearon W. Henderson / 2012 Getty Images

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J.D. Martinez swings and hits a grand slam in the third inning.

J.D. Martinez swings and hits a grand slam in the third inning.

Photo: Thearon W. Henderson / 2012 Getty Images

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Matt Downs swings and watches the flight of his ball as he hits a solo home run in the second inning.

Matt Downs swings and watches the flight of his ball as he hits a solo home run in the second inning.

Photo: Thearon W. Henderson / 2012 Getty Images

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Matt Downs rounds the bases and is congratulated by third base coach Dave Clark after hitting a solo home run in the second inning.

Matt Downs rounds the bases and is congratulated by third base coach Dave Clark after hitting a solo home run in the second inning.

Photo: Thearon W. Henderson / 2012 Getty Images

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June 13: Giants 10, Astros 0

Giants pitcher Matt Cain tossed the 22nd perfect game in major league history, striking out a career-high 14 batters on 125 pitches. It was also the first perfect game in Giants franchise history. less

June 13: Giants 10, Astros 0

Giants pitcher Matt Cain tossed the 22nd perfect game in major league history, striking out a career-high 14 batters on 125 pitches. It was also the first perfect game in Giants ... more

Photo: Jeff Chiu / Associated Press

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Giants pitcher Matt Cain, left, celebrates with catcher Buster Posey after the final out of the ninth inningl. Cain pitched the 22nd perfect game in major league history and first for the Giants, striking out a career-high 14 and getting help from two spectacular catches to beat the Houston Astros 10-0. less

Giants pitcher Matt Cain, left, celebrates with catcher Buster Posey after the final out of the ninth inningl. Cain pitched the 22nd perfect game in major league history and first for the Giants, striking out ... more

Photo: Jeff Chiu / Associated Press

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Giants pitcher Matt Cain, left, celebrates with catcher Buster Posey, center, and first baseman Brandon Belt after the final out of the ninth inning.

Giants pitcher Matt Cain, left, celebrates with catcher Buster Posey, center, and first baseman Brandon Belt after the final out of the ninth inning.

Photo: Jeff Chiu / Associated Press

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Giants pitcher Matt Cain celebrates after the final out of the ninth inning. Cain pitched the 22nd perfect game in major league history and first for the Giants, striking out a career-high 14 and getting help from two spectacular catches. less

Giants pitcher Matt Cain celebrates after the final out of the ninth inning. Cain pitched the 22nd perfect game in major league history and first for the Giants, striking out a career-high 14 and getting help ... more

Photo: Jeff Chiu / Associated Press

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Giants pitcher Matt Cain celebrates after the final out of the ninth inning. Cain pitched the 22nd perfect game in major league history and first for the Giants, striking out a career-high 14 and getting help from two spectacular catches. less

Giants pitcher Matt Cain celebrates after the final out of the ninth inning. Cain pitched the 22nd perfect game in major league history and first for the Giants, striking out a career-high 14 and getting help ... more

Photo: Jeff Chiu / Associated Press

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Giants pitcher Matt Cain (18) celebrates after pitching a perfect game against the Astros.

Giants pitcher Matt Cain (18) celebrates after pitching a perfect game against the Astros.

While Norris declined comment Wednesday, Brad Mills said he was feeling sore but able to go through his conditioning and start the usual pitcher’s between-starts throwing program.

“It’s really too early to tell about his next start,” Mills said of Norris’ status for Sunday at Texas. “But we’re very encouraged by today. After icing, he was able to go through his full workout.”

The Astros want to know by Saturday if he is able to make that start in a matinee against the Rangers. Mills and general manager Jeff Luhnow discussed a few scenarios, but starting J.A. Happ on short rest and patching things that way is not among them.

Lee on the verge of rehab stint

Carlos Lee will begin a rehab assignment as soon as tonight as he nears a return from a hamstring strain.

The location of the assignment was uncertain as of Wednesday evening, but the Astros were leaning toward picking Class AA Corpus Christi because the Hooks play at Frisco. With the big league Astros playing at Texas this weekend, Lee could stay at the team hotel rather than playing with Class AAA Oklahoma City at Round Rock.

The earliest Lee can come off the DL is Sunday for the Astros’ last game of the year featuring a designated hitter, and that game is the target right now.

Meanwhile, the Astros will also get lefthanded reliever Fernando Abad back for that Rangers series. Both of his rehab outings for Class AAA Oklahoma City have gone well, and Brad Mills expects him to rejoin the big league club Friday.

Pettini lends All-Star support

Astros bench coach Joe Pettini, who won World Series in 2006 and 2011 as part of Tony La Russa’s staff in St. Louis, will join La Russa on the bench of the National League All-Star team.

La Russa, though retired, was offered the All-Star managerial spot he earned for winning the pennant and called Pettini to let him know he’d be keeping the band together for the July 10 game in Kansas City.

“I’ve been with him for 10 really great years, and if this is going to be the last game he’s ever going to manage, I’m going to make sure I’m going to be there for it,” Pettini said.

La Russa will have a say in some of the roster, and while players like Jed Lowrie and Jose Altuve remain long shots to make the team by fan voting, they and perhaps closer Brett Myers can make the team by manager’s selection.

“Hopefully, they keep it up for a month or so, and when it comes time, maybe Tony even asks some advice about it,” Pettini said. “I’m going to be happy to give it to him.”